Wrapper encased package



Jan. 25, 1966 H. RUMSEY, JR

WRAPPER ENCASED PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1964 lilll M fm RY/vw OE E T5 N WDW n ...UQ/A E amm PL if M Jan. 25, 1966 H. RUMSEY, JR

WRAPPER ENCASED PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1964 lNVENTOR /ff/ffgf $0445.55 .f/i.

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ATTORNEYS BY KM,

Jan. 25, 1966 H, RUMSEY, JR 3,231,083

WRAPPER ENCASED PACKAGE Filed July 23, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 if mm y .Mw 4/ m mi n Tf E W mK E Uilm .Mii/.7 ...m www JHHHMINNHHHH HH 4 f -----i M4 f mw a 4 H mw il; ,c /2 6 m 4 2v .l/ /w 6. l? F 0, 7

Jan. 25, 1966 H, RUMSEY, 1R 3,231,083

WRAPPER ENCASED PACKAGE Filed July 25, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 .j INVENToR HE/geE/fr //Msfg Jig. 54. Kw l Vlak( ATTORNEYS H. RUMSEY, JR

5 Sheets-Sheet v5 F/GJS United States Patent O Connecticut Filed July 23, 1964, Ser. No. 384,717 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to an improved package and more particularly to an improved wrapper encased package which may be readily opened` to permit the removal of a portion of the package contents while at the same time preserving and maintaining the general package structure.

It is common practice to prepackage various commercial products in transparentwrappers which attractively display the contents while at the same time affording protection thereto from contamination. Packages of this type are frequently wrapped in a transparent, thermoplastic, heat-shrinkable film made of a relatively strong, tough and flexible material such as a polymer or copolymer of vinylchloride or vinylidene chloride or rubber hydrochloride. To open the package, the wrapping material is grasped at one of its edges and pulled outwardly to at least partially unwrap the package or the wrapper is severed or punctured and then torn or further severed to expose the contents. In some packages a tearing strip is included within the Wrapper which may be pulled outwardly to sever the wrapper.

Under any circumstances, when the package is thus opened, the general package structure is destroyed or weakened and when only a portion of the contents is removed, it is diicult to again reclose the package to atford protection to the package contents. l

It is a prime object of the present invention to overcome the difculties and disadvantages heretofore encountered and to provide an improved wrapper encased package which may be opened in an improved and simpliiied manner by tearing a portion only of the wrapper in a predetermined pattern to aiford access to the package contents while preserving and maintaining the essential package structure.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a wrapper encased package of the above type which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture; which affords protection to the package contents while the wrapper is in place; which displays the package contents in an attractive manner; and which may be readily opened by the average user without any special skill or training, to expose the contents and without destroying the package structure.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a package in which the package contents are encased in a wrapper of transparent sheet material with a backing sheet made of relatively stiffer material than the wrapper disposed inside the wrapper. The package contents preferably have a recess in an outer surface area thereof and the backing sheet is formed with a tearing tab terminating in an end portion disposed adjacent the recess. Thus, the Wrapper may be punctured at the recess to give access to the end of the tearing tab. The tearing tab in turn is made of a material having a tensile strength greater than the tear resistance of the wrapper so that the tearing tab can be pulled outwardly against the wrapper from the end portion to cause the wrapper to be torn in a pattern generally following the edges of said tearing tab to Patented Jan. 25, 1966` ice thereby provide access to the package contents while leaving the remainder of the wrapper intact and in tight engagement with the remaining package contents to preserve the package structure.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a wrapper encased package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a backing sheet blank used in the package of FIGURE l;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views respectively in the direction of the arrows on the lines 3 3 and 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second form of package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the backing sheet blank used in the package of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view in the direction of the arrow on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a third form of package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the backing sheet blank used in the package of FIGURE 8; I

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view through the package of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE l1 is a perspective view of a fourth form of package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of a backing sheet blank used in the package of FIGURE 1l;

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the package of FIGURE l1;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a lifth form of package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of the backing sheet blank used in the package of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal sectional 'view in the direction of the arrow on the line 16-16 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a sixth form of package embodying my invention;

FIGURE 18 is a plan view of a :backing sheet blank of the type used in the package of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a longitudinal sectional view through the package of FIGURE 17; and

FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of the form of package shown in FIGURE 17 after it has been opened.

My improved invention may be used in connection with any form of package contents which it is desired to encase in a protective wrapper through which the contents may be attractively displayed. Thus, it may be utilized in connection with various types of food packages. In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated the several forms of my invention in connection with the packaging of a sausage product such as frankfurters and also sliced products such as cold cuts. However, it should be understood that my invention may be used in connection with the packaging of other types of products.

In the several forms of my invention, the package contents are indicated by the numeral 10 or 10, the transparent flexible Wrapper is indicated by the numeral 12 and the backing sheet is indicated by the numerals 14, 14a, 14b, 14C, 14d and 14e as illustrated. The flexible transparent Wrapper is tightly wrapped around the package contents with the backing sheet disposed inside the wrapper with at least a portion interposed between the wrapper and the package contents.

The wrapper is .made yof -a sheet of transparent, flexible, thermoplastic, heat-shrinkable material. For this purpose, I may employ a sheet made of a polymer or cpolymer of vinylchloride or a sheet made of a polymer or copolymer of polyvinylidene chloride such as sold commercially under the name Saran Wrap or a sheet made of rubber hydrochloride such as that sold commercially under the name of Pliolm. Materials of this type are pre-tensilized so that when they are subjected to an elevated temperature lower than their melting point in the order of 200 F., they will shrink. v

The 'backing sheet should be made of a relatively more rigid material than the wrapper, and the tensile strength of the backing sheet should be such that the tensile strength of the tearing tab portion thereof exceeds the tear resistance ofthe wrapper when the end .portion of the tearing tab is pulled outwardly against the wrapper lto tear it. For this purpose, I prefer yto make the lbacking sheet of paperboard or fiberboard. However, it may falso be made of a relatively more rigid and stronger yplasticfmaterial than the wrapper, such as a thin strip made of apolymer or copolymer of vinylchloride'or made of a high molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene.

The package contents, las previously indicated, may be of any ty`pe`which it is desired to encase in a protective wrapper so as -to vbe attractively displayed therethrough. By way ofexample, inthe forms of my invention illustrated in FIGURES 1-7 and 11-20, I have shown sausage yproducts such as frankfurters as thepac'kagefcontents. In the form of packageshown in` FIGURES 8-10, I have shown a relatively more rigid product 10 ofa generally rectangular configuration. Thus the product l0' 'may consist of a food product such as a rectangular-cuter cheese or sliced cold cuts, or it may consist of a non-food product such as l a cosmetic or pharmaceutical .product which it is desired toy protect from moisture or contamination.

Each of the packing or reinforcing sheets 14, 14a, 14h, 14C, 14d and 14e is .provided with a tear tab indicated by the numerals 115, 15a, 15b, 15e, 15d and 15e. Each of the tear tabs has an end .portion spaced from the remainder vof the reinforcing or backing sheet. The tear tabs have greater tensile strength than the tear resistance of the wrapper so that when the Aend portion of the tear tab is grasped between the iingers and .pulled outwardly lagainst the wrapper, the wrapper `will be torn in a pattern generally following the edges of the tear tabs. I

In making my improved zpackage, the package contents are rst assembled in `compact relationship inthe manner shown, and the reinforcing or'backing sheet is arranged in engagement therewith, with the tear tab exposed-on -one surface thereof. In this connection, one surface of the package is preferably provided with a void or recess, `and the end of the ltear tab is preferably arranged in overlapping relationship with the void or recess. Thereafter, the sheet of wrapping material is wrapped tightly around the assembled package contents and reinforcing or backing sheet and the edges of the wrapping material are gathered together on the under-surface of the package, and are heat-sealed'together. Thereafter, the wrapper is heatshrunken around the package as by subjecting the wrapper to hot water or hot air in the order of 200 F. The wrapper will then be tighty stretched around the package contents and will help tomaintai'n the package structure. InV addition, )the wrapper is tightly stretched over the void or recess. i

When it is desired to open the package, it is simply necessary to 'pierce or puncture the wrapper adjacent the end of the tear 'tab as, for instance, lat Athe points indicated at 16, 16a, 16b, 16C, 16d and 16e. `Where this point is positioned over the void orrecess, it facilitates the piercing of the wrapper without damaging the package contents. After'the wrapper has thus been pierced, the end of the tear tab is grabbed between the fingers and it is pulled outwardly against the wrapper, tearing the wrapper in a pattern generally following the contour or outline of the tear tab. Thus, access to the interior of the package .and to the package -contents is readily afforded and all or only a portion of the package contents may be removed.

The tear tab only covers a minor portion of the surface of the package, leaving the major portion of the wrapper intact when the package has been opened. Due to this fact, and also due to the fact that the wrapper is stretched tightly over the package contents and tightly embraces the package contents, the package structure will be maintained even after the package has been opened and a portion of the contents removed therefrom. This is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 20 which shows the vpackage after it has been opened and one of the sausage products has been removed therefrom. It will be-seen that the wrapper continues to tightly embrace the package contents and to maintain the package structure. Thus, after a portion of the package contents has been removed,'the open edges of the wrapper may be gathered together to temporarily close the package-so that it can be stored in a refrigerator or some other suitable place. l

In the form of package shown in FIGURES 1144, lI have illustrated the package contents as'comprising two layers of `parallel rows of sausage products arranged in superposed relationship. The reinforcing of backing sheet 14 comprises a base portion 18, `two sidewalls 19 and'20 connected to the base portion 18 by fold lines and the tear tab connected to the side wallv2'0 by a reduced neck portion '21. A `pair of strap `portions 22 and 23 are cut out of the -base `panel 14 and the lower ,portion of theyside Walls 1`9 and 2'0, and are connected-to the side walls'by fold lines. The strap portions 22 `and 23 are formed with interengageable lockingmeans such as the locking tab 24 and the'locking recess. Thestrapfportion 22 is provided with a pair of fold lines v26 extending from the edges of the locking tab 24 to the side edges of the strap `port-ion.

In assembling the .package shown in FIGURES l-4, the reinforcing or backing sheet`1'4 is placed upon a flat surface. The side walls 19 and 20 are `folded upwardly and the strap portions 22 and 23 temporarily folded upwardly so that the Ilower layer of sausage products 1'0 may vbe assembled on vthe base portion 18. Thereafter, the 'strap portions '2'2 and 23 are extended across the lower layer of -sausage products and the llockingjtab 24 is inter-engaged with the locking recess 2.5. The upper vlayer olf sausage products are then assembled on top of the lower layer and 'strap portions and the tear tab 15 is folded downwardly over the upper layer of sausage products so that the outer end thereof extends into overlapping relationship with one of the recesses provided between the sausage products, as shown at 16 in FIGURE l. The sheet of wrapping material is then tightly wrapped around'the Vpackage with the free edges thereof arranged yin overlapping relationship beneath the base portion. The overlapping edges are then heat- `sealed together as by pressing them against a -hot plate. The wrapper'is thereafter heat-shrunk around the package as -by applying hot water thereto or 'hot air of a temperature ofthe order of 200 F.

The package thus `formed assumes the appearance shown :in FIGURE 1 with the Wrapper Itightly stretched `around and embracing the package contents, and-tightly stretched over the recesses between the sausage products. When it is desired to open the package, the wrapper is pierced at the point 16 and Y`the Aend of the tear `tab is grasped between the fingers and pulled outwardly against Vthe wrapper with the result that the wrapper is torn in a pattern vgenerally vfollowing the configuration of the tear tab. In this connection, the tear tab only covers a minor portion of the package surface with the result that only a minor portion of the wrapper is torn away. This provides access to-the package contents so that a portion or all of the package contents can be removed. Due to the fact that the major portion of the wrapper isleft intact and it tightly embraces the package contents, it will preserve the package structure even though a portion of the contents is removed with the result that the open edges of the wrapper may be closed around the remaining package contents and the wrapper will continue to aiord protection to the contents.

In the form of package shown in FIGURES 5-7, the backing or reinforcing sheet 14a has a base portion 2S and two side Walls 29 and 30 secured thereto by lfold lines. Secured to outer edge of side wall panel 29 is strap portion 31, having a locking recess 32 formed thereto.

Secured to the outer edge of side wall 30* as by a reduced'neck portion 33 is the tear tab 15a which is fo-rmed with a lockin-g tab 34 inter-engageable with the locking recess 32.

In assembling the package shown in FIGURES 5-7, the backing or reinforcing sheet 14a is placed on a flat surface and the two superimposed layers of sausage products arevplaced upon the base portion 14a. The side walls 29 and 30 are folded upwardly as sho-wn and the strap 31 and tear tab 15a are folded over the top of the sausage products and the locking tab 34 is interengaged with the locking recess 32. The sheet of wrapping material 12 is tightly assembled around the package in the same manner as in the first for-m of my invention, and the edges are heat-sealed together and the wrapper is heat-shrunk. v

The finished package then assumes the appearance shown in FIG. 5 with the wrapper tightly stretched around the package contents and over the recesses or voids provided between the sausage products. The package is open in the same manner as in the iirst lform of my invention by piercing the wrapper at the point 16a over one of the recesses and adjacent the outer end of fthe teai tab. The tear tab is then grasped between the 'fingers and pulled outwardly to tear the wrapper in a the contour thereof. As in the tear tab covers only and only pattern generally following the iirst form of my invention, a minor portion of the surface of the package a minor portion of the wrapper is tornaway.

The form of my package shown in FIGURES 8-10 is particularly suitable for packaging a relatively more rigid product,` or a product that might be distorted by being temporarily compressed. In this for-m of package, the reinforcing or backing sheet 14b is provided with la base portion 35 which is of relatively greater length than the package contents so that the side Walls may be Apulled inward-ly to permit the locking of the reinforcing or backing sheet around the package contents. Side walls 36 and 37 are secured to the base portion by fold lines and the strap portion 38 is secured to the upper ed-ge of side walls 36 by a fold line. The tear tab 15b is secured to theupper edge of side wall 37 as by neck pontion 39. A locking recess 40'is formed in the strap portion 38 and a locking t-ab 41 is formed in the tear tab 15b.

In assembling the form of package shown in FIGURES 8-10, the reinforcing or backing sheet 14b is placed upon a at surface, land the package contents are placed upon base portion 35. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 10, the ybase portion is of greater length than the package contents with the result that the side walls 36 and 37 will slant inwardly at an angle. The strap portion 38 `and the tab portion 15b may then be folded in overlapping relationship at the top of the package and the locking tab can be interen-gaged with the locking recess Without the necessity of compressing or distorting Vthe package contents due tothe angular configuration of the side Walls. The wrapper is then tightly wrapped around the assembled package contents and reinforcing sheet with the edges heat-sealed at the botto-m of the package, and thereafter the Wrapper is heat-shrunk to cause it to tightly embrace the packa-ge contents. This yform of package, .'When completed, assumes the appearance as shown in FIGURE 8. It may be opened in a manner similar tojth-at in'which the previously described packages are opened.

In the form of package shown in FIGURES 141-13, I wrap a single layer of sausage products 10c arranged in parallel relationship. The backing or reinforcing sheet 14e has a top panel 42 formed with a. window opening 43. Reinforcing tab 44 projects into one end of the window opening of the blank prior to assembly as shown in FIGURE 12. The reinforcing tab 44 is connected to the top panel 42 by a fold line as shown. Projecting inwardly from the opposite end of the window opening is tear tab 15C. Lines of weakening or perforations 45 preferably extend from the connected end of the tear tab to the side edges of the panel 42.

Top panel 42 is connected to side walls 46 and 47 by fold lines which, in turn, are connected by fold lines to base portions 48 and 49. The base portions 48 and 49 are formed with inter-engaging locking means such as the locking recess 50 and the locking tab 51. A plurality of fold lines may be provided between the side panels and the top and base panels and a plurality of locking recesses 50 may also be provided so that the reinforcing or backing sheet 14e` may be used with packages of various sizes.

In assembling a package of the type shown in FIG- URES 11-13 the reinforcing or backing sheet 14c is placed face downwardly on a Hat surface and the reinforcing tab 44 is folded inwardly. A row of sausage products is then arranged across the inner face of the top panel 42 with the reinforcing tab extending between a pair of adjacent sausage products, as shown in FIG- URE 3. The reinforcing sheet is then folded around the edges of the row of sausage products and the base portions 4S and 49 are arranged in overlapping relationship and the locking tab 51 interengaged with one of the locking apertures 50. Thereafter, the sheet of Wrapping material is tightly wrapped around the assembled package contents and reinforcing sheet, and the edges of the wrapping material are gathered together and heat-sealed at the base of the package. The Wrapping material is then heat-shrunk by applying hot water or hot air. A

The finished package then assumes the appearance shown in FIGURE 1l. It maybe opened in a similar manner to the previously described packages by piercing the wrapper at the point 16C over one of thev recesses between the sausage products and adjacent the end of the tear tab. The tear tab may then be grasped between the lingers Aand pulled outwardly against the Wrapper so as to tear the wrapper in a pattern following the contour of the tear tab. In this connection, lines of weakening 45 extend outwardly from the end of the tear tab to the edges of the reinforcing sheet and the tear tab preferably pulled outwardly so as to sever the tear tab along these lines of weakening. As in the previous forms of my package, the tear tab only covers a minor portion of the area of the package and, after the package is opened, the package structure is preserved intact by the remainder of the wrapper.

In the form of my package shown in FIGURES 14-16, the tear tab is located at one side of the package rather than at the top thereof. Thus, the reinforcing or backing sheet 14d is provided with a base portion 54 having a side wall 55 secured thereto by a fold line. At its opposite end, the base portion 54 is secured to the tear tab 15d by means of the vneck portion 56. In this connec tion, the tear tab is preferably secured to the neck portion 56 by a line of weakening or perforations 57. At its opposite end, it is secured by a line of weakening or perforations 58 to a strap portion 59.

The upper edge ofy side wall 55 is secured to a strap portion 60 by a fold line and the strap portion, in turn,

is provided with an enlarged panel portion 61 on which 'suitable instructional or display material may be imprinted. The strap portions 59 and 60 may be formed with suitable interlocking fastening means such as the locking recess 62 and the locking tab 63.

the package is opened a major portion of the package is left intact and the package can be readily reclosed.

3. A wrapper encased package as set forth in claim 2 in which the portion of the backing sheet which is overlapped by the tearing tab is formed with :a locking aperture and the tearing tab is formed with a locking tab projecting in the opposite direction from the tearing tab which is interengageable with the locking aperture to releasably maintain the backing sheet in assembled relationship.

4. A Wrapper encased package as set forth in claim 2, in which the tearing tab is of tapered configuration and 10 increases in width from the end portion towards its oppo site end.

5. A Wrapper encased package as set forth in claim 2, in which the backing sheet is assembled around the package `contents with its end portions secured together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,912,967 6/ 1933 Brunner 229-51 3,116,154 12/1963 Rumsey. 3,152,745 10/1964 Rumsey 99-175 X THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

2. A WRAPPER ENCASED PACKAGE IN WHICH A PORTION OF THE WRAPPER MAY BE TORN IN A CONTROLLED PATTERN TO OFFER ACCESS TO THE PACKAGE CONTENTS WHILE MAINTAINING THE PACKAGE STRUCTURE WHICH COMPRISES: PACKAGE CONTENTS HAVING RECESS IN AN OUTER SURFACE AREA THEREOF; A WRAPPER OF FLEXIBLE TRANSPARENT HEAT SHRINKABLE SHEET MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN TIGHTLY SHRUNKEN AROUND THE PACKAGE CONTENTS DISPOSED AROUND SAID PACKAGE CONTENTS AND EXTENDING OVER SAID RECESS IN TIGHTLY STRETCHED RELATIONSHIP; AND A BACKING SHEET MADE OF RELATIVELY STIFFER MATERIAL THAN SAID WRAPPER DISPOSED BETWEEN THE PACKAGE CONTENTS AND WRAPPER AND HAVING A TEARING TAB FORMED INTEGRALLY THEREWITH TERMINATING IN AN END PORTION DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID RECESS SO THAT THE WRAPPER CAN BE PUNCTURED AT SAID RECESS TO GIVE ACCESS TO THE END OF SAID TEARING TAB, AND SAID TEARING TAB BEING MADE OF A MATERIAL HAVING GREATER TENSILE STRENGTH THAN THE TEAR RESISTANCE OF THE WRAPPER SO THAT THE TEARING TAB CAN BE PULLED OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE WRAPPER FROM SAID END PORTION TO CAUSE SAID WRAPPER TO BE TORN IN A PATTERN GENERALLY FOLLOWING THE EDGES OF SAID TEARING TAB TO THEREBY PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PACKAGE CONTENTS WHILE LEAVING THE REMAINDER OF THE WRAPPER INTACT AND IN TIGHT ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REMAINING PACKAGE CONTENTS TO PRESERVE THE PACKAGE STRUCTURE, SAID TEARING TAB EXTENDING INTO OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PORTIONS OF THE BACKING SHEET AND EXTENDING OVER ONLY A MINOR PORTION OF THE PACKAGE CONTENTS AND WRAPPER SO THAT WHEN THE PACKAGE IS OPENED A MAJOR PORTION OF THE PACKAGE IS LEFT INTACT AND THE PACKAGE CAN BE READILY RECLOSED. 